Prolactin Suppression by Serotonin Antagonists in Man: Further Evidence for Serotoninergic Control of Prolactin Secretion

Abstract

To further investigate the role of serotonin in human prolactin (Prl) secretion, serotonin antagonists have been administered to healthy volunteers in basal conditions and after pretreatment with the selective blocker of dopamine receptors, pimozide (Pim). Highly significant falls (p < 0.001) in serum Prl were observed at 120, 180, and 240 min following the oral administration of metergoline (Met) (4 mg; N = 34) and methysergide (Meth) (3 mg; N = 20) in comparison with placebo. No significant difference was found in the degree of Prl suppression induced by these two serotonin antagonists and by the dopaminergic drug bromocriptine (Br) (2.5 mg; N = 20). After Pim pretreatment (1 mg every 6 h for 7 days) the elevated serum Prl levels were reduced to 27.1% ± 8.1 (SEM) of basal after Met and to 54.5% ± 8.9 after Meth administration (N = 5 for each study). It is concluded that Met and Meth inhibit Prl secretion by mechanisms which are not or only partially related to dopaminergic receptors. These data are consistent with a stimulatory role for serotonin in human Prl release.